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This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capabil... This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. Background: The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, NCO 9 Network Contracting Office, on behalf of the Nashville and York VA Medical Center is conducting market research through this sources sought notice to seek sources to identify potential experienced businesses that are capable of meeting the requirements per the Statement of Work (SOW) below Purpose and Objectives: Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method. NAICS code: 339112 and sized standard is 1,000 employees. STATEMENT OF WORK CAREFUSION PYXIS® PHARMOPACK Medication packaging and barcoding technology Pharmacy Service (626/119) STATEMENT OF WORK PART A GENERAL INFORMATION A.1 INTRODUCTION This document is intended to continue the current Carefusion Pyxis® PharmoPack . The Carefusion Pyxis® PharmoPack replaced theTalyst® AutoPackager, 10yrs old outdated and no longer supported technology, in October of 2019 integrating with the Carefusion Pyxis® Enterprise Server medication storage and distribution system at the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS). A.2 BACKGROUND Upon receipt of the Carefusion Pyxis® PharmoPack in October 2019 for the Murfreesboro Campus of TVHS and in November 2019 for the Nashville Campus of TVHS; it has taken the full six months to present, May of 2020, to bring all medications loaded and validated and all communications operational with VA systems meeting all VA security requirements. Increasingly complex technologies to receive, store, count, package and dispense medications in whole or for any part of the medication use system are difficult to assimilate with VA systems. Six (6) months to accomplish this is not unreasonable. But a change or lapse in contract would cause undue costs to the VA to restart that process now complete. At both campuses repackaging bulk purchased medication into the BCMA compatible unit dose medications for inpatient medication administration rather than manufacturer purchased unit dose medications saves substantial medication purchase costs per packet across approximately 12,000 to 15,000 packets used every day for inpatient medication administrations. This reduces pharmacy unit dose purchase cost by approximately $218,400 to $273,000 annually. Loss of the bulk to unit dose repackaging capability would be costly in both monies and safety. A.3 SCOPE OF WORK The Carefusion Pyxis® PharmoPack is an enterprise-wide system covered by the Carefusion Pyxis® national Business Access Agreement (BAA) and already approved for network connectivity by TVHS ISO/IRM. It attaches to and communicates across local area networks both locally and at remote, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) by way of one main server, currently situated in the Nashville Inpatient Pharmacy area. The system will seamlessly communicate with existing Pyxis® equipment in all patient care areas to support adequate drug storage within TVHS. STATEMENT OF WORK PART B WORK REQUIREMENTS Describe the tasks to be accomplished. Describe the work in detail. Divide the work into tasks. Describe tasks as what is to be accomplished. Identify and describe the key elements of each task. TASK COMPLETION CRITERIA Maintain a network interface for the Pyxis® server in accordance with established Department of Veterans Affairs guidelines for servers with HIPAA and patient specific information. The main server will be maintained in the Nashville Campus Inpatient Pharmacy The server is operational The interface responds appropriately to PING command and communicates with all current and future associated devices TASK COMPLETION CRITERIA All Pyxis® PharmoPack are assigned appropriate IP addresses. IRM will generate the IP addresses IRM will compare the optimal specifications to the existing systems and equipment and determine the need to change any local settings (such as a VLAN). Each Pyxis® PharmoPack that connects to and communicates with the Pyxis® server has an IP address and Pyxis® personnel use the assigned IP address to maintain all devices Provide/configure connectivity to the Pyxis® server. Adequate computer port connections are available and operational for each PharmoPack . All PharmoPack devices communicate with the Pyxis® server Install and configure PharmoPack client software to allow logon and access to all PharmoPack functionality and all Pyxis® medstations local and remote. PharmoPack client software will be maintained and operated successfully. Maintain all required databases on the Pyxis® server and insure that the device is fully functional. The Pyxis® server has: All required and updated databases so as to be fully operational Communicates with all devices, both local and remote (CBOC). Configure and deploy any newly required PharmoPack devices, insuring as seamless a transition as possible between any required installations. Onsite personnel will setup, configure and insure operation of devices The Pyxis® PharmoPack will directly backup archive files to a designated network folder. No intermediate steps, devices or storage media will be needed to accomplish this task. Installation of any new devices may be staged by: Pyxis® and VA personnel will be onsite and insure proper configuration and operation of PharmoPack devices VA IRM personnel will designate a network folder that will receive and retain archive files from the Pyxis® System. The network folder will be included in routine network backups. TASK COMPLETION CRITERIA VA IRM and Pharmacy personnel (and possibly Pyxis® personnel) will recover and secure information devices (e.g., hard drives) containing sensitive data (e.g., HIPAA and/or patient specific information). VA IRM and Pharmacy staff will Evaluate any devices requiring decommission and containing sensitive information (i.e., HIPAA, patient specific or proprietary information) and return them to the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System IRM staff for proper handling and decommissioning. Pyxis®/Carefusion will be responsible for final disposition of any devices deemed to be their property. Train designated VA personnel in the use and configuration of client and administrative software and hardware controls. Pharmacy and IT personnel will indicate their training needs were accomplished for day to day operation of the PharmoPack system. Carefusion will assist in setting up an internal training program for all Pharmacy Staff. If Necessary, Carefusion will assist in setting up an internal training program for all IT personnel. Carefusion will assist with materials needed for a continuing training program for all new hires. At the completion of training, all Pharmacy personnel will be able to effectively operate the PharmoPack system. Also, IT personnel will be capable of supporting the needs of the Pharmacy staff in PharmoPack general support. STATEMENT OF WORK PART C SUPPORTING INFORMATION Place of Performance Pharmacy Service main servers, PharmoPack and PharmoPack workstations Period of Performance Routine maintenance, routine and emergency service, non-routine service to include at least software and hardware updates and necessary upgrades for five years (one initial year with lease options to renew for years two through five) Special Considerations Contractor Furnished Materials CAT5 data line of sufficient length for manipulation and connection of PharmoPack devices to existing computer port connections. Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS) and/or surge suppressor devices for all equipment not already so buffered. Government Furnished Materials and Services TVHS will furnish an intact, operational data network and server host site sufficient for effective day to day operation of the PharmoPack system. TVHS will furnish power (emergency red plug) and network receptacles for operation of the PharmoPack system. Qualifications of Key Personnel Pyxis® will ensure that personnel furnished for support and configuration of PharmoPack devices have sufficient experience and knowledge so as to properly install and configure PharmoPack devices. TVHS will ensure that personnel furnished for installation, configuration and day to day operation of the PharmoPack System: Have successfully completed training to operate the PharmoPack System Have successfully completed all training necessary to protect sensitive information used in day to day PharmoPack Operation. Security Requirements PharmoPack devices will communicate over network connections considered secure as measured against Department of Veterans Affairs National, regional and local guidelines. Part of the maintenance contract with CareFusion Pyxis® PharmoPack will allow and require remote access to the PharmoPack System by Pyxis® technical personnel. Pyxis® will set up an account with the Department of Veterans Affairs that permits communication with the local Pyxis® System via Virtual Private Network (VPN). Under certain catastrophic circumstances, communication via modem MAY be allowed (providing all permissions to use the modem are granted through the facility ISO). Physical Security The PharmoPack devices will operate in an environment that is observable and/or physically secured. Information Systems Security Access to PharmoPack software and hardware operation is protected by the same safeguards as is standard on all Department of Veteran's Affairs workstations and servers and is compliant with national guidelines. Antiviral software, firewall software and any other software necessary to secure uninterrupted operation and protect sensitive VA data will be applied to the PharmoPack and servers as is standard for all Department of Veteran's Affairs workstations and servers and compliant with national guidelines. CareFusion Pyxis® PharmoPack will have and maintain a Business Access Agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs and comply with requirements detailed below in C3.4.1.1.3. VAAR- 852.273-75 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES (Interim - October 2008) The contractor and their personnel shall be subject to the same Federal laws, regulations, standards and VA policies as VA personnel, regarding information and information system security. These include but are not limited to Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), Appendix III of 0MB Circular A-130, and guidance and standards, available from the Department of Commerce s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This also includes the use of common security configurations available from NIST s Web site at: http://checklists.nist.gov To ensure that appropriate security controls are in place, contractors must follow the procedures set forth in VA Information and Information System Security/Privacy Requirements for IT Contracts located at the following Web site: http://www.iprm.oit.va.gov\ These provisions shall apply to all contracts in which VA sensitive information is stored, generated, transmitted, or exchanged by VA, a contractor, subcontractor or a third-party, or on behalf of any of these entities regardless of format or whether it resides on a VA system or contractor/subcontractor s electronic information system(s) operating for or on the VA s behalf. Clauses 3.4.4.5 and 3.4.4.6 shall apply to current and future contracts and acquisition vehicles including, but not limited to, job orders, task orders, letter contracts, purchase orders, and modifications. Contracts do not include grants and cooperative agreements covered by 31 U.S.C. §6301 et seq. Certification of Compliance. I certify that all requirements applicable to this contract are in compliance with the stated clause VAAR Clause 852.273-75. ________________________________________________ Authorized Company Representative Signature Contractor s Statement of Release - In consideration of the modification agreed to herein as complete equitable adjustment, the Contractor hereby releases the Government from any and all liability under this contract for further equitable adjustments attributable to this modification. TVHS will provide a secure or observable area for operating each device of the PharmoPack system. STATEMENT OF WORK PART D EVALUATION FACTORS D. The Government will award a task order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. D.1.  Implementation and maintenance at earliest possible date D.2.   Presence of working, documented VA interface within other VA s D.3.   Compatibility/connectivity with automation currently onsite in the TVHS Pharmacy D.4. Remote access capability D.5.   Past Performance/Experience D.6.   Price Implementation, Interface, Remote Access, and Past Performance/Experience when combined are significantly more important than Price. NOTE: Respondent claiming SDVOSB and VOSB status must be registered and CVE verified in VetBiz Registry www.vetbiz.gov. Anticipated period of performance: 10/01/2020 thru 09/30/2025. Capability statement /information sought: Response to this announcement shall not to exceed 10 pages and should include the following information: (1) A tailored capability statement indicating the firm s ability to provide a product and related services; (2) The respondents DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., SDVOSB/VOSB, etc,) pursuant to the applicable NAICS code; (3) Information should be provided electronically in a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. Please e-mail your response with the above information to Lori.Ellis2@va.gov or with the subject line "Sources Sought Notice # 36C24920Q0251 by 10:00 a.m. CST on 6/22/2020. Any question should be emailed to Lori.Ellis2@va.gov. Disclaimer and Important Notes. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. Confidentiality. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).